The Sydney Roosters kept their premiership campaign alive with a 46-10 semi-final victory over Cronulla at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
The Roosters will face the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium next Friday, with victory sending them into the season's final Sunday.
Cronulla's night unravelled early when Nicho Hynes suffered a concussion after two minutes while tackling Salesi Foketi.
Centre Mawene Hiroti later injured his knee after colliding with the advertising hoardings while keeping the ball in play.
The Sharks therefore spent most of the match with only two active interchange players, while the Roosters scored five second-half tries.
Cronulla briefly reduced the deficit to 12-10, but Mark Nawaqanitawase, Robert Toia, Siua Wong and James Tedesco helped the Roosters seize control.
The Sharks also failed to convert opportunities, including two Braydon Trindall kicks caught in-goal and a dropped try with 20 minutes remaining.
Cronulla has reached the finals in nine of the 10 seasons since winning its first premiership in 2016, but has not returned to the decider.
Under Craig Fitzgibbon, appointed in 2022, the club has reached the finals every year but has usually exited during the second or third week.
Only the current Roosters have also played at least five NRL finals series without reaching a decider.
The Sharks had appeared capable of progressing after a dominant middle third, including a 66-0 win over the Dolphins, before late losses and Trindall's shoulder dislocation disrupted their season.